New Zealand Minister of Defense Gerry Brownlee visited the Pentagon this week. During his meeting with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Hagel praised the growth of the bilateral defense relationship and expressed appreciation for New Zealand's support for the coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The Pentagon has warned Congress that the long, drawn-out military campaign against Islamic State militants is just beginning and could expand to include modest numbers of U.S. forces fighting alongside Iraqi troops.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with the Tunisian Minister of Defense Ghazi Jeribi at the Pentagon on Monday. They discussed ways in which the U.S. and Tunisia could cooperate in fighting terrorism, given continuing instability in the region.

FBI Director James Comey will deliver a keynote counterterrorism speech in New York City at Fordham Law School on Monday. With the rise of Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria, international terrorism remains a key national security and law enforcement dilemma for the U.S. and its allies.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Albania's Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli Monday at the Pentagon. Hagel thanked Minister Kodheli for her leadership in Albania's generous support to the government of Iraq through resupply donations.